Retort for carbonizing bituminous fuels



May 29, 1928. 1,671,448

. J. PLAssMANN RETORT FOR C'JARBOIIIZIBIG? BITUMINQUS FUELS Filed July10, 1.925

m f//i 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 29, 1928. l 1,671,448

. J. PLASSMANN f RETORT FOR CARBONZING BITUMINOUS FUELS Filed Julylo,1925 s sheets-sheet 2 May 29, 192s. '1 1,671,448

J. PLASSMANN RETORT FOR CARBONIZING BITUMINOUS FUELS Filed July 10, 19253 Sheets-.Sheet 3 50 to a crushing machine, operating,

the like, andl Patented May 29, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEF PLASSMANN, F DUISBURG, GERMANY.

Application led July 10, 1925, Serial No.

lVith the known retorts for carbonizing filets, and in which therespective fucl is supplied partly or wholly by mechanical means, eitherthe output is insutlicient or the mechanical part of the plant. causesditficulties of serviceand renders the operation of the processuneeonomical.

The retort according to the present invention does away w l0 anddrawbacks of the known retorts, and the gist of the invention resides inthe employment of vertically spaced horizontal chambers, as carbonizingchambersl of which are heated both from above and from below. Thestationary superposed circular chambers are enclosed by a. rotatorvexterior' casing to which are attached the supplying or filling meansand the discharging or emptying means. l`he de '30 also in the reverseway, that is to say, the easing may be stationary and the chambersrotatory. Supposed, that the casing is rotaf tory, then closing bandsextending into the carbonizing chambers are secured to said cas- 15 ingand are being heated from above and from below by the directly heatedchambers whereby the fuel to be carbonized is heated directly at itsouter side. These closing bands pass along the outer side of the fuel tobe carbonized and prevent it from falling out of the chambers.

Thefuel to be carbonized is supplied to the chambers under pressure bymeans of a feed device whereby a dense filling of the chambers iseffected and the fuel is converted into a particularly dense and solidsemi-coke. Y

Owing to the particular manner of supplying the fuel to be carbonizedand of 40 discharging the carbonized fuel a perhaps strongly swellingfuel may swell in the direction towards the discharge end of the retort,that is to say, also a fuel of this kind may be treated in theapparatus. The ca.r

v bonized fuel is generally removed from thel chambers by means of arotating scraper or the like, but also such means as dischargeconveyorsor the like, may be used.

The discharged bulk of coke is conducted for instance. with crushingworms or is broken thereby into large lumps, which then are deliveredinto the discharge shaft. The circular chambers are heated by means of acentral heating chamber arranged prefith the. disadvantages.

vice may be designed,

RETORT FOR CARBONIZIN G I-SITUMINOUS FUELS 42,755, and in GermanySeptember 30, 1924.

erably at the lower the heating gases are circular chambers wi conductedthrough said th the aid of suitably provit'ted guide means. baid gasesare caused to circulate in the carbonizing room ot' the retortpreferably by means of a gasair-mi.'\:ture under prcssure,`this mixturebeing supplied at the central heating chamber and adding only such anamount of heat as is necessary ton'iaintain a uniformi temperaturewithin the retort. In order to attain a uniform temperature at the wallsof the carbonizing chambers, the current of heating gas conducted aroundsaid chambers is supplied with another amount of gas from a separateheating gas pipe located in the central part of the retort, said gassupply taking place just in front of every circular chamber, and theamount being such that the temperature of the respective chamber is kepton uniform height.`

'l` he heating gases and the'gases developed by the carbonizing process,and the dust formed during the preliminary carbonization, are conducteddownwardly in the stationary part of the retort.

The casing and the means for supplying the fuel and for .discharging thecoke are actuated by a motor arranged on the casing.

In order to supply uniformlyl all feeding devices for or of thecarbonizing chambers, `special guide members are provided in front ofevery feeding device, said members con-v ducting the fuel uniformly toall feeding dcvices.

ln order to produeea dry coke whichis safe from igniting spontanemislyat the opcn air, the coke discharged from the cambers is cooled down bywater with the aid of a means specially provided for this purpose, asfor instance with the aid of a conveying trough containing a conveyingworm and a certain amount of water,` this procedure being carriedthrough in such a manner that the water adhering to the coke after thecooling is removed subsequently by evaporation. The water contained insaid trough `eonstitutes at the same, time. a closing means between thecoking chamber and the outer air.

If the coke is to `be worked .further in glowing state in generators orsimilar devices or plants, manner that a tight closure exists betweenvthe carbonizing chamber and the open air while the discharge takesplace. A device part of theretort, and A it is discharged in such a.with the eolie,

suited for this purpose may be formed, for instance, by a portablebunker which can be closed at its lower end and can be connectedair-tight at its upper end with the dischargedevice of the cokingretort. In order to prevent the coke from commencing to burn, in thebunker a certain small amount of Water may be introduced into the bunkertogether the water being at once converted into steam which then fillsup the entire Space of the bunker and acts on all parts of the coke. Thebunker is tightly closed before it is transported away.

The apparatus is supplied with the fuel to be carbenized withoutinterruption by means of separate bunkers located above the apparatus,every bunker being preferably arranged centrally above its appertainingretort, and a supply tube extending down from the bunkeriirstyvertically and then laterally along the side of the retort aroundl which it can 'be turned. A cell-wheel may be provided between thebunker and the supply-device in order to prevent escape of gas, producedby the carbonizing operation. 0r a feed hopper may be arranged betweenthe retort and the bunker, the three parts being then superposedvertically.; or a small bunker may be used instead of said hopper andmay be fed automatically from a large bunker located above it. If nocell-wheel is employed, vthe pressure of the gas developed in the ovenis maintained preferably equal to the pressure of the outer air in orderto prevent said gas from escaping and the outer air from entering intothe retort.

In order to increase the economy of the plant, the coke obtained by theprocess may be conveyed away from the rotatory discharge device intotrucks or the like arriving on one side in empty state, being caused torun round the retort on a semicircular way. and leaving the retort onthe other side in filled state, but instead of trucks or the likeconveying bands may be employed onto which the coke is fed automaticallyfrom the retortand the coke is.carried by said band to a main conveyingband arranged at right angles to the several first mentioned bands. 0r,the coke may fall upon a sheetmetal ring travelling continuously aroundthe retort, together with the discharge device which may resemble abunker, i. e. a coke-bunker, but serves chiefly for conductingthe cokeonto saidrotatory conveying ring. y My invention is illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a verticalsection through a retort devised according to the invention; Figure 3 isa horizontal section in the plane A-B of Fig. 1; Figure 2 is a verticalsection in the plane C-D of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a vertical sectionthrough one constructional form of a discharge device; Figure 5 is avertical view partly in. section of another discharge device; Figure 6shows a detail pertaining to Fig. 5;.Figure 7 shows certain means forfeeding the fuel to and into the retorts; Figure 8 is a diagrammaticalplan of a plant for conveying the coke away by means of trucks.

Referring to Figs. -1-3, the retort consists of superposed circularchambers a which are stationary and are immovably supported with theirmantle a1 by means of the flange a2 by the foundation b. The chambers aare heated from three sides directly, and are enclosed by a rotatorycasing c carried and guided by rolls cZ.- The rolls d rest in bearingsdl, which are secured to the foundation I). There is also an innercasing which eX- tends in-to a gutter filled with water and serving forseparating the interior of the retort from the outer air b means of thering el, which is secured to t e casing c and the -lower edge of whichis immersed into the water. The outer casing c is moved by a gearing f1,f2, f3, f4 inl such a manner that a gear wheel g1, secured to the shaftf5 of the last named driving wheel f4, meshes with a circular rack gfastened tothe base b.

Each circular chamber is encompassed by closingI bands la attached tothe casing c by means of holders z' which thereby are' caused to rotatetogether with the casing c. These bands prevent the fuel treated in thechambers from falling out at the outer circumference of said chambers,and as they serve also for transmitting heat from above and from belowto the outer circumferential particles of the fuel treated, saidparticles are being heated indirectly also at the outer circumference ofevery chamber.

n The rotatory casing o carries also the means for charging the chamberswith the fuel to bel converted into coke and the means for dischargingthe chambers. The irstmentioned of these means are formed by worms 701which convey the material from `a vertical supply tube or channel m intothe chambers, the material being thereby subjected to pressure withinsaid chambers. The driving of the worms k1 is effected by means of thebevel gear wheels kzwhich are secured to the vertical shaft k3 and meshwith bevel gear wheels 7.15 secure-d to the shafts 7u* of the worms lil.Each worm is located in a easing, and to each easing is attached ascraper n by which the coke is removed from the respective chamber. Thecoke is Aconducted to breaking worms o which crush the larger coke lumpsand convey the whole to and into the discharge hopper 77. The feedingmeans for the fuel to be carbonized and the discharging means of theIcoke may also be arranged'centrally.

The heating gases, i. e'. a mixture of gas and air, are or isrespectively, introduced into the retort through a burner r and an vairtube 'r1 and flow into, and` upwards through, a wide tube s encompassedby annular disks t secured to said heating tube s extending between thechambers a and forming passages causing the gas to Contact v with theupper surface, the inner circumferential surface, and the bottom face oteach chamber. Opposite each chamber the tubo s is provided withapertures u through which a certain small amount of the gas isintroduced directly into thel before-mentioned passage in order toniaintain the temperature ot' the gas streaming through the saidpassagel on' uniform height. 'l`heI `heating tube s is stationary in thesame manner as the mantle (i1 and rests with its lower end on bracketsa1 supported on the wall ot' the heating channel g, while the upper endot' said heating tube s is connected b v means ot' brace. rods au to thecover (La of the stationary mantle a1. The gas leaving the space belowthe lowermost chamber a is divided into two currents, one flowing to andthrough the chamber Q located below the tube s, the other passing awaythrough .the channel fu.

The by-product gases developed in the course of the coking processescape laterally between the chambers a and the closing bands /11y intothe annular-shaped space c1 formed by the easing c and the oppositewalls of the chambers, and are sucked off.

through ythe channel fw. The lowermost portion ot said annular-shapedspace 01 is enlarged radially inwards and serves to collect dust, andother waste which then is conveyed away by scrapers m into a dischargepassage w1.

All movable parts of the retort are driven by a. motor g/ arranged onthe top thereof.

In order to supply the worms uniforn'ily with the fuel to be coked,guide walls z are provided in the channel m.

Referring now to Fig. 4 in which a coke discharge device is shown. thecoke vfalls through the lower end of the passage (Fi 3 and 4) into aninclined basin E which is tilled with water and encloses a conveyinglworm F. The passage P is connected with the lower end ot said basin.whereas the upper end o't the latter is Connected with a collectingchamber G closed at. its lower end by a flap Il which can be closed orreleased atI will b v a lever J. The glowing or at least hotI coke iscooled in the basin E by the water contained therein, and the waterstill adhering to the coke after it has lett the basin E is removedautomatically by evaporation.

It' the coke is to be worked further immediately in glowing state, thedevice shown in Figs. and 6 is used instead of that of Fig. 4. Theglowing coke falls through the passage P into the vessel G1 which isclosed at its lower end by a slide K. (The coke is collected in thevessel G1 which, therefore,

forms a kind of bunker, and is removed from said vessel from time. totime by means ot' a truck L resembling the vessel or bunker G1. l'lheupper part of the truck vessel L is provided with a water seal and witha vertically movable neck M dipping into the water of Said seal; saidneck M is carrying a second water-seal forming an annular vessel whichmay be moved upwards towards and against an annular closing member thatdips-into the water ot' said upper water seal when the, neck M has beenllifted by a lever or the like, there being then established an airtightconnection between the two vessels. N denotes a nozzle through whichwater may be injected into the vessel (t1 onto the. glowing or -hot`coke therein contained. lVhen the coke has been conveyed 'from thevessel G1 into the vessel L, the slide. K is closed, the neck M lowered,and a capshaped cover O, Fig. 6, is placed upon said neck, or into thewater of said seal.

Fig. 7 shows means for feeding the retorts wit-l1 t-he 'fuel to becarbonized. There is.

shown in this figure a set of three retorts Q Q1 Q2, and each retortisprovided later ally with a charging tube M which is an equivalent forthe charging tube m of Fig. 1.

S S1 S2 denote the bunkers from which the` tubes M are supplied withthefuel to be carbonized. Fig. 7 shows three constructional forms, as.regards the means for conveying t-he fuel into the tubes M. Concerningthe bunkers S and the retort Q a cellwheel 'l is inserted between thebunker and the. conveying tube R. Concerning y the bunkers S1 andthe'retort Q1, the conveying tube R1 and the bunker S1 are connectedwith each other quite directly, without any interniediate means. And asregards the bunker S2 and the retort Q2, the tube M carries on its top ahopper U which revolves together with the tube M (it being understoodthat this tube is attached to the casing of the retort, as in the otherconstructional forms just described, and that the casing is rotatedconstantly in order to feed the several chambers, as already describedin an earlier part of this specification). The bunker S1' is subdividedin its lower part, in two hoppers, as shown, or in three or more. Thereis a. closing valve V (V1) or a similar closing means at the end otevery hopper,y and that. valve is opened when. and as long as, thehopper U is passing by below the respective hopper.

Figure 8 shows diagrammatically how the coke can be carried away withthe aid of trucks or the like. 'l`here.are parallel tracks WV furnishedwith turn-tables l-V1. Each re.- tort is surrounded by a circular trackil', which is connected with two longitudinal parallel tracks lV. Thetrucks arrive on onerot' the straight tracks in empty state,

are caused to travel around the retorts on a v semicircular way on oneor the other side or both sides of the retort concerned, are beingfilled during this time, and are then hauled away on the other straighttrack in filled state. i

The fuel treated in the circular chamber retort, that is to say,carbonized therein may also be dried in the retort or onlymbe driedtherein.

The thickness of the layers which the fuel forms in the retort may bedifferent, and there may be left a space above the fuel in every chamberso that the surface of the layer is heated indirectly by radiation fromthe upper Wall of the chamber. The thickness of the layers depends uponthe degree of dryness of the fuel, also upon other conditions, as wellas upon the length of time required to heat the layers thoroughly', andfinally, also upon the question Whether the fuel is to be merelycarbonized or merely dried or driedl and carbonized. Also the manner inwhich the heating is effected is of importance.

I claim:

1. A carbonizing retort' comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being Wholly independentof each other, the heating chambers eing closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, and means for rotat- 1ng one of the structural units.

2. A carbonizing retort comprising in` combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating Chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof each other, the heating chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, and means for rotating said casing.

3. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof each other, the heating chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, closing bands encompassing loosely the carbonizing chambers attheir outer circumference, means connecting said bands with said casing,sai-d bands being so devised that they prevent the contents of thecarbonizing chambers from falling out thereof, but permit escape of thegases developed and means for rotating one of the structural units ofthe retort.

4. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly inflependentof each other, the heating chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alter-,

nately superposed annular chambers formin a structural unit, a'casingsurrounding sald superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, and means for rotating one of the structural units, and a feedingdevice carried by said casing and adapted to charge material to betreated into the carbonizing chambers. v

5. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof each other, the heating'chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, and means for rotating one of the structural units, and conveyingscrews carried by said casing and adapt` ed lto charge material to betreated into the carbonizing chambers.

6. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof each other, the heating chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingenclosing said' superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, means for rotating one of the structural units, and means forbreaking material leaving the carbonizing chambers.

7. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed chambers, the former being closed at their innercircumference and being Wholly independent of each other, the heatingchambers being closed at their outer circumference and open at theirinner, said set of alternately superposed annular chambers .forming astructural unit, a casing surroundlng said superposed chambers andforming annular carbonizing chambers and heating a second structuralunit, means for. rotating one of the structural units, and a. crushingWorm located at the point of discharge for the material and beingadapted .to reduce the .larger lumps. r

8. A carbonizing retortcomprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperpos'edv rotating one of the structural units, and.

centrally located heating means for the heating chambers,

9. A carbonizing retort comprisingin combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being ,wholly independentof each other, the vheating chambers eing closed at Atheir outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposedannular chambers forming a structural unit, a casing surrounding saidsuperposed chambers and forming a second structural unit, means forrotating one of the structural units, a centrally located heating tubespaced from the inner e circumference of the chambers and gas directingannular plates attached to said tube and extending intothe heatingchambers.

10. A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed 4o annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, theformer being closed at their inner circumference and being wholly inde-4pendent of each other, the heating chambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said sct of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forniing a structural unit, a. casingenclosing said superposezl chambers and forming a second structuralunit, means for rotating one of structural units, a centrally locatedheating tube spaced from the inner circumference of the chambers andhaving lateral gas outlet openings, and gas directingl annular platesattached to said tube between said openings and extending into theheating- ,chambers so as to form gas passages which are approximatelyzig-zag-shaped in vertical section. ,l

11. A carbonizing retort comprising in 560 combination a set ofalternately superposed annular carbonizing chambers and heatingchambers, the former being closed at their inner circumference and beingwholly indeendeiit of each other, the heating chambers eing closed attheir outer circumference and open at their inner, said set ofalternately Ysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, acasing surrounding said superposed chambers and forming a secondstructural unit, and forming an an- 70) nular space together with thefirst named constructional unit, a centrally located heating tube spacedfromtlie inner circumference of the chambers and means for conductingthe heating gas along the top surface and the bottom surface of thecarbonizing chambers, a foundation carrying the chambers-formingstructural unit and the casing and having discharge .channels for theescaping heating gas and for the gases developed during the carbonizingoperation and escaping into said tubular space and having also acollecting groove for the dust carried by the last mentioned gases.

12.l A carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof each other, the heating chambers y being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysiiperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, acasingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second 05structural unit, means for rotating one of the structural units, meansfor supplying thecarbonizing chambers With materials to be `carbonized,means for conducting away the produced coke and a common driving mech-100 l anisni for all said movable parts.

13. vA carbonizing retort comprising in combination a set of alternatelysuperposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing closed at their inner circumference and being wholly independentof -eabh other, the heatinwchambers being closed at their outercircumference and open at their inner, said setof alternately'superposed annular chambers forming a 11o sti-uctural unit, a casingsurrounding said superposed chambers and forming a second structuralunit, means for rotating one of the structural units, asupply channelfor conducting the material to be carbonized into the respectivechambers, and vertical distributing walls in said channel.v

14. A carbonizing retortV comprising in, combination. a set ofalternately superposed annular carbonizing chambers and heating chambersthe former being 'closed at their inner circumference and being whollyindependent of each other, the heatine chambers being closed at'theirouter circumference and open at their inner, said set of alternatelysuperposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, a casingenclosing-said superposed chambers and forming a'second structural unit,means ,for rotating one lof those constructional units, and acoke -dis-7 charging device adapted to receive the coke inner circumference andbeing Wholly indev pendent of each other, the heating chambers beingclosed at theirv outer circumference and open at their inner, said setof alternately superposed annular chambers forming a structural unit, acasing surrounding said superposed chambers and forming a secondstructural unit, means for rotating one of the structural'units and abunker adapted to receive the material to be carbonized and vto conveyit continuously to the carbonizing chambers.

and heating,

Y 1,ev1,44e

16. Av carbonizing combination a lset of alternately superposed annularcarbonizing chambers and heating chambers, the formerbeing'closed attheir inner circumference and being wholly independent of each other,the heatin chambers being closed at their outer circum erence and openat their inner, said set of alternately superposed annular chambersforming a `structural unit, a casing surrounding said superposedchambers and forming a second structural vunit, means for rotating oneof the structural units, means for supplying the carbonizing chamberswith material. to be carbon'ized, and means for conducting 4away theproduced coke.

In testimony whereof I affix my' signature.

JOSEF PLASSMANN.

retort comprising in

